Have you ever wondered why pop songs tend to be around three minutes long? This custom of the three-minute song actually dates back to the middle of the 20th century.
In the 1950s, the small 45 RPM record was favored by radio stations over larger long-playing (LP) records. This __1__ was mainly because 45s featured only one song per side, as opposed to the five or six on LPs, making it much easier for the DJ to locate the specific track they wanted to play.
Due to their small size, however, 45s couldn’t manage much more than three minutes of music per side. This restricted the length of songs and reinforced the brief airtime a song got on radio shows. Musicians who wanted to get their music __2__ on the radio had to adapt to this trend.
Photos: AdobeStock / 照片：AdobeStock
你是否曾想過，為什麼流行歌曲往往都大約三分鐘長呢？這個三分鐘歌曲的慣例實際上可追溯至二十世紀中期。
1950年代時，比起較大張的密紋唱片，廣播電臺更喜歡小巧的45轉黑膠唱片。這種偏好主要是因為45轉黑膠唱片每一面都只有一首歌，與擁有五或六首歌的密紋唱片不同，這讓DJ在找想要播放的特定樂曲時，變得更輕鬆得多。
不過由於它們容量很小，45轉黑膠唱片每一面無法置入長於三分鐘的音樂。這限制了歌曲的長度，也更強化了廣播節目中，一首歌能獲得的短暫播放時間。想要讓自己的音樂在電臺上播放的音樂家們就必須適應這個趨勢。
Photos: AdobeStock / 照片：AdobeStock
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
Words in Use
1. persistence n. 持續
The persistence of the baby’s high fever worried her parents.
寶寶持續不斷的高燒讓她的雙親很擔心。
2. favor vt. 偏好
Most children favor junk food over vegetables.
多數孩童比起蔬菜，更喜歡垃圾食物。
3. feature vt. 以……為特色
We just received a set of stamps that features flowers and plants.
我們剛剛才收到一組以花和植物為特色的郵票。
Practical Phrases
1. date back to + 時間 回溯至……（某時）
This Catholic church dates back to the 15th century.
這座天主教教堂的歷史可回溯至十五世紀。
2. adapt to N/V-ing 適應……
It’s hard for Lucy to adapt to the busy life of the city.
露西很難適應城市緊張忙碌的生活。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
本文由生成式AI協作，本刊編輯編修。 Tucked away in southwestern Taiwan, Yunlin County is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, rich history, and natural beauty. From its stunning temples and glove puppetry to historical architecture and picturesque landscapes, Yunlin rewards those who venture off the beaten path. Yunlin is renowned for its flourishing temple culture. Temples in this region are not merely places of worship but also communal centers where people gather for festivals, rituals, and social functions. One of the most notable temples here is the Beigang Chaotian Temple, which was built more than 300 years ago and is dedicated to Matsu, the sea
RSS